Stirrup for textile loom



Jan. 5, 1960 R. L. ALFORD STIRRUP FOR TEXTILE LOOM Filed June 6, 1958 INVENTOR. Fla/lard L fl/ford BY M M United States Patent STIRRUP FOR TEXTILE LOOM Richard L. Alford, Montgomery, Ala.

Application June 6, 1958, Serial No. 740,354

15 Claims. (Cl. 139-88) This invention relates to a stirrup for a textile loom and more particularly to a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof.

An object of my invention is to provide a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of the loom to the harness wire thereof inwhich the friction between the connected parts is reduced to a minimum.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stirrup of the character designated which shall embody a floating rocker member which is adapted to engage the harness lever'at one side thereof while the other side thereof is in rocking engagement with a concave bearing surface carried by the stirrup.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stirrup of the character designated in which the floating rocking member is self centered and is provided with means to limit lateral movement thereof relative to the stirrup.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stirrup of the character designated in which the rocking member is provided with a recess for receiving a locking tooth carried by the harness lever, the recess being defined by a pair of spaced teeth members which engage recesses between the locking teeth carried by the harness lever, whereby a maximum contact surface is provided between the rocking member and the harness lever.

'A still further object of my invention is to provide a stirrup for attaching a harnes lever to a harness wire which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which may be readily applied to conventional type textile looms.

Apparatus embodyingfeatures of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmental side elevational view showing my improved stirrup connecting a harness lever to a harness wire;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stirrup shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is aperspective view showing a modified form of my invention; I

(llig. 5 is a plan view of the stirrup shown in Fig. 4; an Fig. 6 is' a fragmental sectional view showing another modified form of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, 1 show a fragment of a conventional type harness lever 10 having the usual locking teeth 11 thereon for receiving one end of a stirrup. As is well known in the art, the stirrup is slipped over the upper end of the harness lever into engagement with the locking teeth 11. The harness lever is movable on a fulcrum, not shown. The harness may be made to move through a greater distance by moving the stirrup toward the free end of the harness lever. The stirrup :is locked in place 2,919,722 Patented Jan. 5, 1960 by providing notches in the end thereof which define the locking teeth 11.

In Fig. 1, I show the harness wire indicated at 12 as being connected to one end of my improved stirrup which is indicated generally at 13. The stirrup 13 comprises a pair of elongated side members 14 and 16 which may be held in spaced relation to each other by spacer members 17 and 20 provided at opposite ends thereof. As shown in Fig. 2, the side members 14 and 16 extend substantially parallel to each other.

The spacer member 17 is provided with a concavebearing surface 18 at the inner side thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Mounted for rocking movement be tween the side members 14 and 16 and adjacent the con-- cave bearing surface is a rocking member 19 having a convex outer surface 21 which is disposed to engage the concave bearing surface 18 as the harness lever 10 is moved back and forth. As shown in the drawing, the curvature of the convex rocking surface 21 is greater than the curvature of the concave surface 18 whereby the rocking member is free to rock on the concave surface 18. That is, the arc defining the convex surface 21 is struck on a smaller radius than the arc defining the concave surface 18. By providing the concave bearing surface 18 the rocking member 19 is self centered in that it constantly seeks a position adjacent the center of the concave surface 18 as the rocking member rocks back and forth.

The side of the rocking member 19 opposite the convex surface 21 is provided with a pair of teeth members 22 and 23 which define therebetween a recess 24. As shown in Fig. 1, the teeth 22 and 23 engage adjacent notches on the harness lever 10 between the teeth 11 while one of the teeth 11 engages the recess 24 defined between the teeth 22 and 23 on the rocking member 19. With this construction, a maximum amount of bearing surface is provided between the rocking member 19 and the harness lever 10. That is, the rocking member 19 actually contacts three of the locking teeth 11.

Projecting outwardly of opposite sides of the rocking member 19 are oppositely disposed pins or detents 26. Laterally extending slots 27 are provided in the side members 14 and 16 adjacent the concave bearing surface 18 for receiving the detents 26 whereby a limited amount of lateral movement of the rocking member is permitted relative to the side members 14 and 16 as the harness lever 10 is moved back and forth. The slots 27 are curved in the same general direction as the concave bearing surface 18 whereby the detents 26 are free to move in the slots as the member 19 rocks back and forth. Accordingly, as the harness lever 10 moves back and forth, the convex surface 21 of the rocking member 19 engages the concave bearing surface 18 and rocks thereon whereby there is no sliding movement of the rocking member 19 relative to the bearing surface 18, thereby eliminating friction between the engaging parts.

The spacer member 20 connecting the ends of the side members 14 and 16 opposite the concave bearing surface 18 is provided with an inwardly projecting convex surface 28 which is substantially semi-circular, as shown in Fig. 3. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the surface 28 of the spacer member 20 is provided with a grooved recess 29 therein for receiving the harness wire 12 whereby the harness wire is substantially centered relative to the spacer member 20. Preferably, the ends of the side members 14 and 16 are beveled as at 30, to facilitate movement of adjacent stirrups relative to each other.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, I show a modified form of my invention in which the stirrup indicated at 13 is provided with elongated side members 14 and 16 which are bent inwardly as at 20*- at one end thereof to define therebetween a convex surface 28 having a centrally disposed recess 29 therein for receiving the harness wire in the manner described above. The ends of the side members 14 and 16 adjacent the inwardly bent portions 20 are secured to each other by any suitable means, such as by welding at 25. Elongated transverse slots 27 are provided adjacent the opposite ends of the side members 14 and 16 from the inwardly bent portions 20 for receiving outwardly projecting detents 26 provided on a rocking member 19 which is similar in every respect to the rocking member 19. The ends of the side members 14 and 16 are bent inwardly to define inturned flanges 31 and 32 which overlap each other and are curved inwardly toward the edges thereof, as shown, to define an inwardly disposed, concave bearing surface which is in position to engage a convex bearing surface 21 provided on the rocking member The inturned flanges 31 and 32 are secured to each other by any suitable means, such as by welding at 35.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawing, I show another modified form of my invention which is substantially identical to the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing. The stirrup 13 comprises side members, only one of which is shown at 14*, which are identical to the side members 14 and 16 shown in Figs. 1-3. Also, the side members are connected by a spacer member 17 which is identical in construction to the spacer member 17 and is provided with a concave bearing surface 18*. Mounted for rocking movement between the side members of the stirrup 13 is a rocking member 19* having an elongated arcuate slot 33 therein for receiving a transverse pin 34- which is secured to the side members of the stirrup. It will be noted that the arcuate slot 33 is curved in a direction opposite the curvature of the concave bearing surface 18 thus permitting free movement of the pin 34 which is carried by the side members of the stirrup.

The operation of the rocking member 19 shown in Fig. 6 is substantially identical to the operation of the rocking members 19 and 19*, the principal difference being that the slot 33 is provided in the rocking member 19* instead of in the side members. On the other hand, the pin 34 is secured to the side members instead of being adapted to ride in elongated slots provided in the side members.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved stirrup for use in attaching a harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof. By providing a concave bearing surface adjacent one end of the stirrup which is adapted to be engaged by a convex surface carried by a free rocking member, the friction between the moving parts of the stirrup is reduced to a minimum. Also, by providing a slot and tooth connection between the rocking member and the tooth and slot connection on the harness lever, a maximum amount of contact surface is provided between the harness lever and the rocking member.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof, a pair of side members, means retaining said side members in spaced relation to each other, at least one inwardly disposed concave bearing surface adjacent one end of said spaced side members facing the direction of pull of the harness wire, a rocking member mounted 'for free rocking movement between said side members with one side thereof disposed to engage the harness lever and the other side thereof being convex and disposed toengage said concave bearing surface, and means adjacent the ends of said side members opposite said bearing surface for attaching said side members to the harness wire.

2. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof as defined in claim 1 in which the means adjacent the ends of the side members opposite the bearing surface for attaching the side members to the harness wire comprises an inwardly projecting convex bearing surface between said side members disposed to receive said harness wire.

3. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof, a pair of elongated side members, means retaining said side members in spaced relation to each other, an inwardly disposed concave bearing surface adjacent one end of said spaced side members, a rocking member mounted for rocking movement between said side members with one side thereof disposed to engage the harness lever and the other side thereof being convex and disposed to engage said concave bearing surface, there being oppositely disposed laterally extending slots in said side members inwardly of said concave bearing surface, detents projecting outwardly of opposite sides of said rocking member and disposed to ride in said slots whereby said rocking memher is adapted for limited lateral movement relative to said side members, and means adjacent the ends of said side members opposite said concave bearing surface for attaching said side members to the harness wire.

4. In a stirrup as defined in claim 3 in which the laterally extending slots in the side members are curved generally in the same direction as the curvature of the concave bearing surface.

5. In a stirrup for use in attachinga harness lever of a loom having a series of locking teeth adjacent the outer end thereof to the harness wire of the loom, a pair of elongated side members, means retaining said side members in spaced relation to each other, an inwardly disposed concave bearing surface adjacent one end of said spaced side members, a rocking member mounted for rocking movement between said side members and having an outer convex surface adapted to engage said concave bearing surface, there being at least one recess in the inner surfaceof said rocking member disposed to receive at least one of the locking teeth on the harness lever, there being oppositely disposed laterally extending slots in said side members inwardly of said concave hearing surface, detents projecting outwardly of oppositesides of said rocking member and disposed to ride in saidslots whereby said rocking member is adapted for limited lateral movement relative tosaid side members, and means adjacent the ends of said side members opposite said concave bearing surface for attaching said side members to the harness wire.

6. In a stirrup for use in attaching a harness lever of a loom having a series of locking teeth adjacent the outer end thereof to the harness wire of the loom as defined in claim 5 in which the recessin the rocking member is defined by a pair of spaced teeth members which are disposed to engage the outer end .of the harness lever between the locking teeth thereon.

7. In a stirrup for.use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof, a' pair of side members, a spacer member between and securing said side members to each other adjacent one end of said stirrup and having a concave inner bearing surfacefacing the direction of pull of the harness wire, a second spacer member between and securing said side members to each other adjacent the other end of said stirrup and having an inwardly disposed convex surface thereon disposed to receivesaid harness wire, and a rocking member mounted for free rocking movement between said side members with one side thereof disposed to engage the harness lever and thelotherside thereof-being con- -vex and disposed to-etlgagesaid concave bearing surface.

'8. In a stirrup'for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof as defined in claim 7 in which oppositely disposed, laterally extending slots are provided in the side members inwardly of the concave bearing surface and oppositely disposed outwardly projecting detents are provided on said rocking member in position to engage withinsaid slots and permit limited lateral movement of said rocking member relative to said side members.

9. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof as defined in claim 7 in which the inwardly disposed convex surface on the second spacer member is provided with a recess therein for receiving the harness wire.

10. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof, a pair of side members having inwardly extending flanges at one end thereof curved inwardly toward the edges thereof to define an inwardly disposed concave bearing surface at one end of said stirrup, means retaining said side members in spaced relation to each other, a rocking member mounted for free rocking movement between said side members with one side thereof disposed to engage the harness lever and the other side thereof being convex and disposed to engage said inwardly disposed bearing surface, and means adjacent the end of the stirrup opposite said bearing surface for attaching the stirrup to the harness wire.

11. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness wire thereof as defined in claim 10 in which the ends of the side members opposite the concave bearing surface are connected to each other and an inwardly disposed convex surface is provided between said side members for receiving the harness wire.

12. In a stirrup as defined in claim 10 in which one of the inwardly extending flanges overlaps the other inwardly extending flange and said flanges are secured to each other.

13. A stirrup as defined in claim 10 in which the ends of the side members opposite the inwardly extending flanges are bent inwardly to define a generally convex bearing surface for receiving the harness Wire.

5 14. A stirrup as defined in claim 13 in which the ends of the side members forming the convex bearing surface for receiving the harness wire are secured .to each other outwardly of said convex bearing surface.

15. In a stirrup for use in attaching the harness lever of a loom to the harness Wire thereof, a pair of side members, means retaining said side members in spaced relation to each other, an inwardly disposed concave bearing surface adjacent one end of said spaced side members facing the direction of pull of the harness wire, a rocking member mounted for free rocking movement between said side members with one side thereof disposed to engage the harness lever and the other side thereof being convex and disposed to engage said concave bearing surface, there being a transverse arcuate slot in said rocking member curved in a direction opposite the curvature of said concave bearing surface, a pin extending through said arcuate slot and secured to said side members to limit lateral movement of said rocking member relative to said side members, and means adjacent the ends of said side members opposite said concave bearing surface for attaching the stirrup to a harness wire.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 708,745 Taplin Sept. 9, 1902 2,437,739 Harris Mar. 16, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 226,904 Switzerland Aug. 2, 1943 515,088 Great Britain Nov. 27, 1939 

